There is no single right way to hike the trail. There is no one correct way to experience the woods. No one can judge the worth of your hike. You alone know what you gain from it. No one else will ever know the degree to which you appreciate the trail.

Autumn is, for many experienced backpackers, the best time of all. It can be warm during the day and blessedly cool (and maybe without the humidity) at night. If the area has already had a cold night, the insects will have gone to ground. If it's early fall and you're hiking in a deciduous forest, the colors can be overwhelming. Later in the season when the leaves are mostly down, you can see farther through the forest and, from ridge-top trails, enjoy far more expansive views. Birds are migrating and other wildlife may be active.